Toile Comforter Sets

Toile. Some decorating experts and Internet newsgroup posters think toile is on its way out along with the Southwestern look. If you're the type that wouldn't be caught dead in passe or dated clothing, you probably won't want a comforter set in toile. Too much toile fabric covering too many pieces. Too risky! Good news for you if you like the feel and look of a toile bedding comforter set. You can have those pastoral French country scenes when you buy a toile discount comforter set.

Most toile fabrics are typically plain, except for the style known as toile de Jouy. You can choose a toile-inspired luxury comforter set such as the Hepburn Collection, which looks as classy as Kate or Audrey. However, if you want a genuine toile comforter set made with engraved plates or rollers, don't observe the predictions of toile doom. Buy a high-quality high-thread-count luxury comforter set.

Your toile comforter set is usually reversible, so you can change the look to a solid color. Lastly, don't believe all the experts or everything you read on the Internet. Toile looks great and is easy to care for. Any bedding you want to spend a third of your life with is automatically "in." But, thank goodness, the Southwestern look is still dated.

Comforter Sizes

Caring for a Jacquard Comforter Set

One look at the gold and burgundy patterns of a jacquard luxury comforter set and you might say, "Hit the road, Jack," even if you're buying a damask or brocade discount comforter set for $40. You're afraid that the raised stitching on the floral pattern requires too much care. News flash from your bedding tip experts:

• Jacques is French for "James," and jacquard fabric was named after Joseph Jacquard, the inventer of a weaving process, not Jacques.
• Jacquard brocade or damask fabric for your bed comforter set is usually made of polyester fiber fill and cotton that you can dry-clean or machine-wash cold.

The pillow shams, bed skirt, and comforter in your jacquard luxury comforter set deserve careful handling, but you don't have to banish them faster than you can say the Left Bank. You can enjoy your elegant bedding comforter set like you do that fine Bordeaux wine--and like that red full-bodied Bordeaux, you can let your jacquard comforter set breathe.

Comforter Set Pieces

Six pillowcases, five sets of sheets, four designer pillows, three wool blankets, two mattress pads...and one comforter set! Sometimes you feel like you're making your Christmas list all year long when you're buying a bedding comforter set.

Of course, there is that one store that has Christmas sales in April. You'd think that your luxury comforter set would be simple. A duvet. A duvet cover. You can check those off your list. But no, your average bed comforter set can now include a duvet, duvet cover, plus:

• Neckroll pillow
• Oblong pillow
• Decorative pillows 
• Pillow shams (Euro and regular)
• Bedskirt

Do you really need an entire set? Some bedding experts advise that since comforters may fade in the wash. Santa wouldn't be merry and bright if he saw his red down comforter turn dull! Choosing bed linens to match your comforter, or buying a bedding comforter set, makes sense if you want everything in your bedroom to blend.

If you want a coordinated bedroom, don't just buy a discount comforter set with just a duvet and duvet cover that partially match your decor. That's like leaving bran muffins for Santa instead of cookies. If, on the other hand, you want to mix and match, make sure you choose a duvet and duver cover bed comforter set that blends. You can try contrast--Rudolph's shiny nose certainly made him famous. Once you've decided on a complete comforter set, you can figure out what do do with those partiridges and four calling birds.

Microfiber Down Comforter Sets

Microfiber--it's everywhere, in sofas, cleaning cloths, and carpets, Now it invades your down comforter set--the pillows too! Should we stop the microfiber madness? Actually, no. Microfiber is extra lightweight, so a microfiber duvet luuury comforter set may let in cooling air if you like to keep your down bedding comforter set on the bed all year and live in a warmer climate. The feel is suede but the fabric is low-maintenance. Wait just a microfiber minute.

A microfiber bed comforter set we looked at offered shams and a comforter--no duvet cover. You'll need a lightweight duvet cover if you want to dress up your discount comforter set. Microfiber is easy to clean, so you may not need the duvet cover as much to keep spills and dust away. Still, microfiber is used to pick up dust, so buy a duvet cover. Embrace the microfiber revolution with your new bed comforter set.

Down Alternative Comforter Sets

You love the down decorative pillows and down comforter your husband bought for your birthday, but his comforter set is making you groan worse than his golf jokes. Your down bedding comforter set is hypoallergenic, but you're allergic to down, especially an overdose of it. You love the sleeping surrounded by soft cushiony down feathers.

Tell your hubby to exchange that down discount comforter set for a down alternative luxury comforter set. Polyfill in the pillows and comforter will ease your groans at night--even if your hubby asks you, "Have you heard the one about the rabbi and the priest at the eighteenth hole?" Soft fiber such as Egyptian cotton or microfiber will add to the luxurious feeling of your bedding comforter set, even if you're not sleeping on goosedown. With such a thoughtful husband, you can stand another ten years of bad jokes as long as your comforter set keeps you comfortable and sneeze-free.

Latest Comforter Trends

Yes, it's true: your bedding is a slave to fashion. That includes your bedding comforter. Some trends stay--a kid comforter with sailboats will always be in fashion. But you adults need to keep up with the times. We've scouted out some trends that you should know about before you buy a bed spread and comforter:

• Tailored bed comforter with classic lines and smaller geometric shapes--no frills or flowers.
• Bedding comforter and duvet color in blue, rather than purple--blue is a cooling, calming color.
• Bed comforter with big patterns
• Global patterns such as Indian or Chinese
• Shabby chic and casual but elegant comforter
• Microsuede microfiber comforter
• Layered bedding with blankets, throws and a bedding comforter

You swore you'd never be a slave to fashion, but redoing your bedding has made you rethink those coral Bermuda shorts.